Jumberlack Media

A Face Made of Wood EP

dbrock — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:20:33 +0000

This EP shows a songwriter finding his sea legs again, after extensive touring as a member of almost too many bands to count (most notably Canada, That’s Him! That’s The Guy!, and Saturday Looks Good To Me). The songs are hopeful and introverted, but with the melodies and elaborate instrumentation one would expect from this member of Michigan’s fruitful folk scene.

“I am a fan of Michigan when it comes to indie folk and White Pines does not disappoint…#2 EP of 2009″
- Slowcoustic

“I’ve been listening to White Pines EP A Face Made of Wood, for months now and finding it to be just the most peaceful, moving folk music.”
- Love Shack, Baby

“Joseph is an honest songwriter that pours out his heart and is not afraid to lay it all on the table, the more I listen to him the more I am captivated.”
- Harmon Drive

“It’s become one of my favourite releases of the year, full of rich imagery, gorgeous vocals and beautiful instrumentation.”
- It All Started With Carbon Monoxide

“The trusty strums of an acoustic may be the base line of the tracks, but each and every track reveals surprises tucked into the folds or hiding in the shadows.”
- Hero Hill

“…with a sound this honest and rootsy, its tough not to be seduced by “A Face Made of Wood”
A Face Made of Wood.”
- Pop Matters

“Scott’s voice is sincere and optimistic, making the somber tracks seem more hopeful than heart heavy, yet the songs are rich with melodies and elaborate instrumentation recalling the best of the Michigan’s folk scene.”
- The Record Dept.

“A Face Made of Wood is exceptionally inviting, perhaps addictive.”
- Call It Folk

“Each of the five songs comprising the 22 minutes of the album are thoughtful and compelling, and if you haven’t heard them already, you owe it to yourself to do so.”
- Chewing Gum for the Ears

“…upon listening to the music I could have sworn I saw a couple of grey-white wolves peeking curiously at me through a screen door. Sniffing around and disappearing, they leave me with a feeling of wonder, hope and rejuvenation that transcends any particular season, much like the music itself.”
- Laughing Evergreens

“The songs are lushly well-recorded and touchingly well-written. Heavy with feeling, this is just a small taste of what this guy can do with a words, music and emotion.”
- One Sweet Song

Jumbertube

dbrock — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:49:55 +0000

Brave Last Days LP

dbrock — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:33:58 +0000

As much a studio concept as a band, Brave Last Days is an ambitious, mysterious pop band. Combining heavily orchestrated hooks with cryptic, often ironic lyrics, Brave Last Days’ sound has commercial appeal and cult potential. In here are introspective themes, layered guitars, and a wry sense of humor. Founded in Milwaukee by vocalist Billy O’Neill and producer Boogie, the duo spent the first years of the band’s existence focusing on the creation of their debut album rather than quick hits and singles. Brave Last Days’ live shows can be theatrical. After an appearance at Milwaukee’s Summerfest ,the world’s largest music festival, the Shepherd Express 2008 Summerfest Guide gave them a kind review: “O’Neill’s prowess as a frontman only adds to the experience, as he prowls the stage, part actor, part rock star.” Brave Last Days was the only independent label act featured even though they had no official release to their credit. After nearly 3 years, their forthcoming album is set for release on November 21st, 2009 on Jumberlack Media. Tour dates will follow. We hope the 10 song album shows Brave Last Days at their perfectionist best. For more, go to www.bravelastdays.com.

Secret Chorus LP

admin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:11:28 +0000

Acclaim for Secret Chorus

“Clever and smart lyrics lay the groundwork for an impressive post-punk artistic rock nuanced approach.”

- Smother Magazine

“…this outfit has been tucked away in the less-than-friendly confines of Detroit for more than a year, writing, recording and performing music that stands alone among its contemporaries.”

- UR Chicago

“Sincere pop poetry — rough and tumble punk influences mixed with classy R&B and swinging, sultry blues ballads: piano melodies and steady riffs that have illustrious, melodramatic urgency on certain heart-stirring epics, freewheeling, accelerative pop-top catchiness on the danceable tunes and a hazy, mischievous macabre/punk on some of the edgier areas — altogether a grand narration… 5 Stars”

– Real Detroit Weekly

An Army Life LP

admin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:35:08 +0000

Acclaim for “An Army Life”

“An Army Life is a quantum leap in artistry for this talented duo, as the songs are well written, simply produced and allowed to flow with space and relaxed tempos.”

- Sound the Sirens

“An Army Life is one of the most beautiful folk discs of the year, ten titles absolutely without fault…”

- The Man of Rennes Steals Our Hearts

“An Army Life, the new album from That’s Him! That’s The Guy!, is what you wish your college roommates sounded like when they got drunk and started playing guitar. Clear, unpolished vocals harmonize over little more than plucked guitar and banjo, calling to mind an earthier Oh No! Oh My! or Kings of Convenience.”

- 5 Acts

Down the Mad River LP

admin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:30:58 +0000

Dylan James Brock recorded a 9 song EP in the projects where he lived, an eleven-story mental hospital where the therapy of choice was crack cocaine. Locked in his bedroom for a good week, leaving only to walk to the local Burger King to use its wifi, he made “Down the Mad River.” It draws from all throughout his eight years of songwriting.

Meant to be a stripped bare highlight of his best songs, “Down the Mad River” is humble, subtle debut from a man known for neither of these qualities, if he is known at all. His journey through his years of songwriting has taken him through three of New York City’s five boroughs, from a regular stint at the late CBGBs to nice nights at Pete’s Candy Store and NorthSix, and on to a rainy Queens show thanks to that Michigan patron Brandon Zwagerman.

All along, there have been these songs, and though he wishes he could have afforded higher quality recordings, Dylan hopes you can forgive the questionable production and listen deep, through its ringing reverberations, to the melodic core herein. So whether you’re looking for a detailed account of a naked night in a lake outside of Ann Arbor, or you want self-aware novelty work, or you want it all for better or worse, these songs stand, waiting for you to take them for what they are.

Perhaps someday Mr. Brock will be able to finance the noises in his head, but until then, bareness will have to do. Now out of the projects and in a better place, he hopes that these songs will raise you up in life the way he has been raised up since the dark hours laying down his work the best he could with what he had. Listen to the songs of the songs. That’s all we can know and all we can ask.

Black EP

admin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:27:54 +0000

The three members of Recluse have been rocking together since they were teenagers. Their music is a drug that addicts a listener with hook after hook. The only way to get their tunes out of your head is to listen to them again. And again.

All hailing from New York, this band is the combines the best of great downtown acts like the Strokes and Television, and then throws a blues influence into the mix to make their sound their own. If you have a doubt about their quality, check out one of their frequent NYC shows and see for yourself.

Whether on stage or on disc, these kids are unforgettable. Let them be the monkey on your back and you will be glad you have been taken in by such pleasant dependence. There is nothing like a solid, straight rock record to get your temples pounding and your heart racing and leave you asking for more, more. Get your fix today.